Organic Rose Gardening – Have you heard of organic rose gardening? Just to give you a heads up, organic gardening basically means that no chemicals that may be harmful to living organisms and the environment will be used in cultivating your plants. Making a decision in choosing the right variety of rose plants based on your region and climate, and selecting the perfect soil are the most basic and important steps once you decide to have your own organic rose garden.
Exerting some extra time and effort at the start of this project will help you grow healthier roses. This is because the most tedious steps are at the beginning stages.
Just the same with any plant, roses are happy if provided with healthy soil, right amount of water and sunlight, and proper air circulation. Rose plants acquire the nutrients that they need every day on the soil where they are planted. If the soil is unhealthy because of the absence of nutrients, the rose may not be able to survive.
Soil compost has the right ingredients and consistency that is perfect in cultivating roses. It holds water without being soggy or stale. Compost contains microorganism and micronutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are known to be very beneficial for the rose in its growing phase. Additionally, this type of soil requires less water and fertilizer; hence, less effort from you.
Select roses that are suitable in your location based on your region’s zone and climate. Some roses, like the tea rose, prefer regions with warmer climate, while some prefer colder places. Some of the factors in choosing the type of rose are based on color, type and size. It is basically a matter of personal preference as long as you know that the breed you chose can adapt and grow well in your area.
Roses with Catmint
Another main concern of organic rose gardening is focused on the proper setup for the healthy growth of your roses by aiming to prevent instead of controlling pests and diseases. To solve this, an essential ingredient is companion plants. These are plants that are beneficial to your roses as protection from infestation if grown close by.
The best known allies of roses are garlic and onions. Garlic cultivation along with your rose plants can have an astonishing result on your roses’ growth. However, some individuals do not like the scent of garlic amidst a rose garden. If you are this type of person, don’t fret. There are other companion plant alternatives. Most of these plants come from the onion family, such as marigolds, catmint and mignonettes. Nasturtiums would be beneficial in preventing aphid growth; while herbs, such as thyme and rosemary, are attractive to good insects.
Roses’ companion plants used to repel insect pests: Ornamental Allium, Basil, Marigolds and Catmint.
Another issue that gardeners usually encounter is blackspot, which might be caused by poor air circulation in your garden. That’s why choosing a location is an important part of the preliminary plan in organic rose gardening. Make sure that air is flowing freely in the area where your roses are planted.
These tips may sound too much of a workload for you. However, a lot of these methods are practiced and applied at the beginning of this project. Always remember that it is far more important to anticipate and prevent unwanted issues rather than wait for them to happen. With these basic techniques, you are assured that your roses would be happy, and you will feel more like a pro in gardening.
